will guide the FTX which will be conducted in The Republic of The Sudan in November 2017.

The Director of the EASF Amb. Issimail Chanfi informed the participants that the FTX 2017 was anchored on the focus to maintain and enhance the achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) which will be exemplified by practicing EASF’s operational readiness on how to plan force generation, deployment, sustainment and recovery of a multi-national and multi-dimensional force.

The Director further informed the participants that the success of the FTX 2017 was dependent on the outcome of the Initial Planning Conference and therefore urged all participants to participate fully throughout the session that will see the development of a detailed report on the exercise specifications and technical support requirements which will eventually form the basis of the Main Planning Conference (MPC).

The Guest of Honor, Lt Gen. Kamal Abdelmarouf, General Inspector of the Sudanese Armed Forces, welcomed all the participants on behalf of the Government of the Republic of The Sudan and expressed his appreciation for the honor accorded to Sudan to host the Initial Planing Conference for FTX 2017. He noted the major achievements by EASF that have increased regional cohesion and showed commitment to enhance and strengthen the regional cooperation, such as, the successful conduct of Command Post and Field Training Exercises. He stressed that the activities indicate the attempts made so far to strengthen EASF and pave way for building an integrated institution in spite of the varied memberships drawn from various background and cultural diversities.